On Tuesday night, a large group of anti-ICE protesters assembled in downtown Chicago, creating significant disruptions for passing vehicles.
These protests in Chicago coincide with ongoing unrest in Los Angeles.
The turmoil in LA started on June 7, when rioters set cars on fire, hurled objects at police officers, launched fireworks, damaged windows at the LAPD headquarters, and looted shops.
Footage from Tuesday showed a woman navigating her vehicle through the crowd while demonstrators were walking and cycling nearby with signs on Wabash and Monroe streets.
Police attempted to get the driver’s attention by knocking on the windows of her vehicle, but she kept moving forward, according to reports. It’s unclear if anyone was hurt during this incident.
When questioned by Fox News Digital on Tuesday evening about potential charges for the driver, officials indicated they were waiting to hear back from responding officers.
While most protesters in Chicago were peaceful, some caused damage to police vehicles, and public transportation was temporarily halted in parts of downtown, as noted by reports.
Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez remarked on the destruction of multiple police cars, expressing frustration in a social media post. He stated, “I don’t think we’re learning,” adding, “I’m tired of the disorderly apologizers dismissing it as ‘not violent, just property damage.’”
The demonstrations are part of a coordinated effort dubbed “From LA to Chicago: ICE Out!” One protester, Benjamin Rose, expressed concern about the situation, stating, “It’s not right… People are being taken away from the streets, so we need to act.”
Protests are emerging in various cities across the nation, ranging from Asheville, North Carolina, to both Chicago and Los Angeles.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that the recent ICE operations in Los Angeles resulted in the arrest of numerous individuals, many of whom had prior criminal histories, amidst pandemonium during the protests.
DHS detailed that, among the suspects arrested by ICE in Los Angeles, there were individuals facing serious charges including robbery, second-degree murder, and rape. In a statement, DHS asserted, “American brave ICE officers are removing the worst from the streets of LA, while LA leaders are tirelessly trying to resist them,” as the unrest continued over the weekend.
